Chicken Diversions - Ideas for Backyard Flock Fun

[@shannaciano1804]

I water the ground in the evening and place a log on the area, in the a.m. I flip it over and they all run to get the bugs that hide under it.

[@Foxys10]

Great idea!

[@rhondabailey9238]

I will be doing this...great idea ti get pill bugs out of my veg garden

[@TheNakidGardeners]

Great idea!

[@Tqk27]

Brilliant

[@AnneluvsKatz]

🤗🤗🤗 great idea!!!

[@coziii.1829]

Put a bug zapper out there and every morning they got bugs on ground

[@LadyLeda2]

Had a neighbour once who put up a bug zapper under his porch light. He left the porch light on all night. All night long it was zapping bugs keeping us awake. Neighbours got together and went over to his house to ask him to take it down. So glad he was nice about it and removed the thing. Just saying because if you have neighbours they may not like that zapping sound all night long.

[@katiekopp903]

She hates how much she loves her chickens 🤣🤣🤣

[@realsimplemama]

Of course! They’re adorable and they take my money and give me gray hair! 😄🤨🐓❤️🤷🏻‍♀️

[@patewok3649]

I'm having fun watching the chickens hang out tree stumps with old branches sticking out. I see them having fun playing on the different sized stumps.

[@vilee5237]

I'm a new chicken and duck Mama. Thank you for all of your tips, tricks and instruction. ❤️🐔🐥🦆

[@TinaLouise528]

I’ve put greens and suet balls etc in wiffel balls. They freak out. There’s always the brave one will tool it and run with it all day. Lol

[@realsimplemama]

That’s hilarious!

[@cheesygal]

It’s true! They pick on the each other. In the process of correcting their environment. Thanks for the great ideas.

[@thefreese1]

I have 2 acres fenced in.. they have no problem keeping occupied... my biggest problem is keeping them away from the crows feed... I feed the crows because they keep the hawks away

[@janairlanda]

Your chickens are so well looked after and happy - I wish I was one of them! 😂😂 Thanks for all the tips, very helpful!!

[@realsimplemama]

lol! They are getting trained for sure! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@varikvalefor]

I thank you for so greatly caring about your hens; I doubt that most would even consider many of these things, nonetheless actually carry out the ideas.

[@realsimplemama]

I would do much more if I could but my issue is funding! 😁 It’s fun to think about things like this though and my girls are definitely spoiled.

[@esga3207]

Two houses up the street there's a ton of bamboo, which I use to create roosting bars in the run. Cut the bamboo; place one end through the hardware cloth or wire on one side of the run and the other end through the same on another side of the run. Attach with zipties. Also you can hang things from roosting bars. For instance a cabbage tether ball or a swing. I've taken an old branch that's roughly 1 1/2" in diameter. Drilled a hole on each end. Using twine hang it from a roosting bar. Now you have a swing. Hang a cabbage tether ball near the swing at a height that the chicken has to be on the swing to access the cabbage!

[@jayvallandingham2406]

Clothes on chickens is just as kooky as putting clothes on dogs and cats:-)

[@realsimplemama]

I can see where people try to help hens with those little aprons (it keeps a rooster from ripping all of her feathers out when he’s mounting her) but even those have risks. I choose not to clothe mine either 😎

[@Foxys10]

My chickens love their swing. And their mirrors and bells. Chickens are too funny!

[@realsimplemama]

Dang it! Did you train them with the swing when they were young? I tried with my grown hens and they looked at me like I was an idiot. 😆

[@Foxys10]

@@realsimplemama yeah I put a swing in their brooder. I get such a kick out of watching them swing. Only one of my five does it with any consistency. I can pick them up and put them on it to. I also put it in a corner at an angle so it doesn’t swing too much. Makes them feel safer.

[@crowdancer5]

I dont have chickens and dont really want things to take care of at my age, but I love love love your channel....learning so much...who knows I may well get inspired! Thank you for entertaining me!

[@realsimplemama]

Oh you’re so welcome! They’re so wonderful and normally not high maintenance once you have everything set up. Or maybe a community chicken coop!

[@Mrs.NRalphs]

Chickens never entered my mind in the many animals I’ve owned. Now I have 12 I may have made a mistake 😂. My husband wanted them but I get to care for them and he complains about how much money I’ve spent but this is our first flock and we had no prior chicken supplies like a coop and run so of course it’s expensive at first. Like with any other animal or pet

[@triplecranks9540]

Really like the grazing box. Making one tomorrow. Thanks!

[@onedazinn998]

You're a good chicken mama :) One easy thing you can do is just create a small compost pile (keep it balanced, not overloaded with food scraps and you will have no smell) in their run - give them things to hunt through that they will enjoy and bugs will come and delight them to pick through. Also, yes you can freeze raw pumpkin (and the seeds with stringy pulp I might add) and they will love it. I'll pulled out frozen pumpkin during the summer for them to cool off and enjoy. Hanging corn cobs that the family didn't clean off perfectly, cabbage is always a favorite to allow pecking & it's good for them. I also like to give our melon rind with a bit of melon left on it. Most chickens adore bushes with a bit of clearance to hide under and explore (they love to hide under evergreens & even fruited briars to protect from predators while they find bugs and dirt baths there) - mine free range and honestly my overgrown forsythia bushes saved their lives many times from hawk attacks. It was their favorite place to hang out.

[@realsimplemama]

Yes! I need more big bushy plants! And great idea on the pumpkins. We ask for post-Halloween donations from friends 😎

[@onlythebest8070]

Thanks, it’s great you make them feel like they are in the wild by giving them stuff to keep them occupied. Also this is some great info will definitely be using it.

[@realsimplemama]

Thanks! I want to add more things and am also doing a lot more landscaping at the new place which will help too.

[@lochamb1234]

It was because of you I created lots of individual scratch areas for my girls, swings, places to hide additional bugs and treats for them..... My girls have feeders in their house which is always full.... But I also scatter their layer food throughout the various play scratch areas as I'm not certain how many bugs we have so it's their proper food they eat anyway.

[@realsimplemama]

Hey friend! I know your chickens have an amazing time because of all the work you do! Keep it up!

[@lochamb1234]

@@realsimplemama Thank you!!! I have learned so much from you. I binged watched your videos before I got my 1st girls. You warned my about hen maths.... Yep my 3 are now a 7 😁🐔xx

[@realsimplemama]

Oh how cute! I’m so happy to hear that I helped even a little bit. ❤️❤️❤️🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓

[@jessies3236]

Thank you so much for the grazing box idea!!

[@realsimplemama]

You’re so welcome! I’m debating on making more. They’re really fun and such a clever idea!

[@realsimplemama]

I have a whole post dedicated to how to do one and what you can plant. Have fun and let me know what you come up with!

[@jessies3236]

@@realsimplemama thank you! I have a little kiddie pool I'm considering turning into one now! Also do chickens like to eat mint? I just got a spiermint and chocolate mint so i ownder if i should share?

[@jessies3236]

@@realsimplemama I'm also after a chicken swing. I only have three girls and we are in the city and when im outside and they see me they dont stop gripping at me so id like to have something those times hat makes them forget me lol!

[@realsimplemama]

I’ve heard that chickens will only use a swing if they were trained/accustomed to it as babies. So maybe try it but know that full grown hens may just look at you like you’re nuts. Ha!

[@kellycarter2497]

Getting lots of ideas here to repurpose things from around the house. Thanks!

[@realsimplemama]

Yay! Yes please do. I hate making people feel like they have to spend a lot of money. Dumpsters and the side of the road have helped me before too! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@brookeday1865]

during the summer on hot days, my chickens love to hunt and jump for ice! It isn't just fun, but very hydrating

[@realsimplemama]

Yes! They’re so entertaining ☺️

[@tanroj3252]

Great idea

[@whosedoingwhat]

Gee guess you could buy a blk at those ice machines place in lg rnd basin cool water as melts & cool pecking 👍🏻

[@brendabell8102]

I do not have chicken my neighbor have some but I like to talk to them and I gave them names. They come to my house all the time. So I love them like a child..

[@granmabern5283]

Wowed that was interesting! Going out to make a swing and prop a pallet up and give them a squash from last year... love the idea of hanging a mirror and the suet blocks. Thankyou

[@realsimplemama]

You’re so welcome! Let me know what they think! Sometimes they’ll be afraid of something for a few hours but just leave it and they’ll gradually get brave and figure it out! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@JoelRiggs]

I said “Ouch! Stop!” at 1:08 because one of my hens (also named Gracie) was pecking at mosquito bite on my leg. Destructive! And painful! But cute. And sweet, too.

[@cassandrarobinson7138]

We drill 1/4" holes in aluminum drink can that have screw on lids, fill with scratch or seeds or their food. They love it!

[@rondenniel2894]

Get grown feed by bulk. Store in barrel and fermented feed I'd Heather and better for feed gut. Soak in pail for 3 or 4 days. Stirring 2 a day. Strain most water out and scatter on ground. Almost 2 times value from your food. 7 barrel makes a tone storage. Fluffy, so do light packing as you fill barrels.

[@rondenniel2894]

Sorry, birds' gut health.

[@merin9978]

Your commentary made me laugh out loud. You have such a witty sense of humor - I love it! I can't wait to get our backyard chicken set up put together. Great info!

[@realsimplemama]

Thank you so much! I’m excited for you! ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@terryedge3423]

Our chickens have to be covered because of eagles around most everyday . We put a scratch block in with our girls and no pecking at all . We got the scratch block from farm & fleet . Love your videos and i try to spend a couple hours with my girls every day so if something is wrong with one i can catch it right away. we also cut there nails if they start getting to long after all they are my babys !

[@realsimplemama]

Yay! Yes the netting may be overkill to some and it’s not an emergency situation thank goodness but I’ll be relieved when it’s done. And usually my girls scratch enough that I don’t have to do pedicures, but I had one hen who always needed her nails cut! And thanks for the tip, I’ll have to look into a scratch block!

[@maryisabell8760]

Terry Edge : is a SCRATCH BLOCK the same as a FLOCK BLOCK ?

[@terryedge3423]

@@maryisabell8760 I'm not sure . The scratch block is like the loose scratch smashed into block and about the size of a cows salt lick block hope that helps Mary

[@annamariaiannacito5291]

This is the best video I have found. Thank you, and thanks for the laughs. I am going to use some of your ideas.

[@realsimplemama]

Oh thank you! Let me know what you think’

[@talilamenipaz4137]

Sarah, you are as sweet as can be! I enjoyed your video and your comments very much and yes, you can absolutely freeze pumpkin! 🎃🐔🙃

[@rosemevis825]

Thanks for this, my chickens have turned into bullies so hopefully this will help.

[@brendacard1447]

I do not have any chickens yet. In the last few days I’ve been watching quite a bit on KZbin of the what to do use and what not to do it. Thank you so much for your information. Love this channel.

[@realsimplemama]

Good for you! It’s great that you’re doing research now so that you’re prepared and your flock can have the best life. I’m here for you! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@amyjohnson9240]

Mine are seriously entertained by my 2 giant compost piles. They also like digging through the dumped lawn mower bag, and I mulch the leaves with the mower and they love that too.

[@realsimplemama]

That’s all great! And it’s very little work and best of all it’s freeee 😎 I plan to do compost at my next house too. ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@flutey28]

it's getting too cold for my guy to be outside, but you have given me great ideas, thank you!

[@vukasinvukic2965]

I realy needed this video because i bought a few beautiful exotic chicken and i want to give them everything they need to be entertained ,thanks for this video 💕😍

[@realsimplemama]

Yay you’re welcome! I hope you (and your flock) have tons of fun!

[@kylergodbey9761]

i love how she talks to the chickens

[@realsimplemama]

Usually I’m nice but sometimes there’s a hint of sarcasm. Don’t worry, they don’t understand it anyway! 😆

[@JourneyWithUs13]

❤ Oh yass I have a bbq fish 4 the charcoal grill and a hook 🪝 So thanks m, I have all the repurposed materials but no ideas, love ❤ ideas when I can use what I have 😊😊😊😊

[@christinelanthier4540]

I put a plastic pail for me to sit on in the chicken run and forgot to remove it. The girls have been pecking at it and making a hollow sound.

[@realsimplemama]

Well hey that’s great! Maybe take them on tour. I’m a music teacher and mine have no talent ha! But I’m so glad you sit with your chickens - it’s so important to just be around them, get to know them, and be able to notice if someone is sick or injured. Enjoy your music!

[@whosedoingwhat]

I saw a vid where she put a child’s Xylophone on wall & they peck and play lol maybe the chicken trot🤣

[@realsimplemama]

Lol! Yes I tried and mine weren’t interested but oh how I wanted them to be! I may try again, it’s been a while...

[@catgirl-iy2qd]

Awesome ideas!

[@realsimplemama]

Thanks! Let me know what you try and what ideas you have.

[@jenocean824]

I love the way you think!

[@realsimplemama]

Uh oh! That’s dangerous - I’m pretty crazy! 😆

[@coziii.1829]

I mix my feed and mix treats in with food Then I give scraps Everything is a treat

[@michaellambert5223]

I grow cucumbers, my girls love them!!! We buy em veggies a lot til the garden sets in good. Just no beans, lol

[@realsimplemama]

Yes no beans, no onions, no tomato plants (nightshade) but lots of good options!

[@elizabethsteadman865]

Why no tomato 🍅 plants

[@idahofmegal821]

@michaellambert5223 you can feed them beans. You just have to cook them first.

[@no8641]

I’m watching this for my turkeys lol

[@realsimplemama]

Lol! You’ll have to let me know what works!

[@no8641]

real simple mama I’m only 13 years old and I have to take care on one mini pig 3 dogs 3 baby turkeys and a rescued baby cow by my self lol 😂 but ya every thing you put on the video will help I’m trying to give them the best enriching life I can 😂so thanks

[@no8641]

real simple mama oh ya also they are going to have a 40 ft run soo 😶

[@realsimplemama]

I’m proud of you! And I don’t know where you are but I would happily smuggle a baby cow and all your other babies over here. That sounds fantastic! Most intelligent animals like to play and not just survive so I know you’ll think of lots of good ideas!

[@no8641]

real simple mama I live in Georgia and yes The baby cow is cute but loves to head butt

[@nicmic6138]

Nailed it.... Monty Python cartoon caravan 🎯🎯🎯

[@realsimplemama]

Any time is a good time for Monty Python! Those guys practically raised me! 🥥🥥

[@sonjadesmidt4078]

My aunt had an old piano in the barn they liked to run across the keys. When I get left over spaghetti I give them to my chickens. They go crazy. Probably thinking it’s worms

[@realsimplemama]

Oh I love the piano idea! I’m a music teacher by trade and I tried so hard to make my flock musical. 😆

[@samphillips9398]

I've got Two White Brauma Hens who are sisters & stay together, They beat the crap out of a lil Batam Frizzle hen, She was laying in a dust pile & dirty, I thought she was dead. Picked her up and she looked at me and started telling me all about it. I didn't see the fight but I saw the aftermath, I nursed her in a Dog Crate in the Camper where I hang out and made her strong & forging again, I take her outside and I had her outside cleaning her cage and sit her on the ground, before I could blink the Brauma’s started a beating her & chased her across the yard till they pinned her down with their girth and was pecking her, I snatched her up & put her back in the Kennel

[@realsimplemama]

I’m sorry about that! Maybe the size difference is a problem. Do you have other hens too? Could you add a few more new ones so it’s more balanced? ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@christinae.burlison936]

I hv my first 5 🐣 pollitos right now. Thanks for the tips :). My coop is built. Need to build the run next

[@winginitwithirishcolleen6692]

Great video!!! I just got my FIRST EVER chickens/baby chicks. I’m in central Illinois so I did 3 Black Australorp & 1 Speckled Sussex, we are only allowed 4. I got them the day after they hatched. They are now 3 weeks + 3 days old and growing strong. So much personality!! Thanks for all of the tips.

[@realsimplemama]

Oh yayyyy! Congratulations! How wonderful! Please let me know if I can help a lot.

[@rosesmith6208]

I have four astralorps, they are characters let me tell you. theylay really well too. and they are easy to tame. and yes they can be brats sometimes too but not dangerously so. lol

[@janiemelgoza166]

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

[@AcreFarm2147]

Great ideas! My girls are molting, they look hideous! LOLOL...I'm upping the protein to help them.

[@realsimplemama]

YES molting makes them all look ridiculous! But take blackmail photos to threaten them to lay eggs lol. That’s what I miss - 5 spoiled birds and I get 3 or less eggs a day.

[@AcreFarm2147]

Yep, my egg production went down too..out of 11 birds I'm getting about 6 a day

[@JourneyWithUs13]

❤Kia Ora 💜 Mama from Melbourne Thank you 😊 🙏 for the advice much appreciated

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! You’re so welcome! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@andrewkakalia4522]

U just gave me so many epic ideas

[@realsimplemama]

Lol! Well I’m glad. Have fun and let me know what they like!

[@robinragan1702]

First time viewer and new subscriber. Loved your video and your outlook. I want my chickens to be healthy and happy too.

[@JoyN246]

I'm in Burundi Africa, so don't have many options of buying things. But I did have some workers make a cage for my ground to keep the chickens out. I move it once the plants there are looking ready for chicken destruction, lol. Then I start over. I'm going to try to have more roosting areas- I like some of your ideas!

[@thefancyflockchristycheshi9528]

Love your channel !! Omg my biggest problem is my girls digging holes to China every single day! Do you have this issues ??

[@chrissw663]

You mention not putting clothes on your chickens - agreed. How do you feel about the chicken “saddles” to help protect the hens during mating?

[@realsimplemama]

Honestly the saddles can be a great idea as a short term emergency solution. But they don’t actually fix the problem - and also they can be hot, uncomfortable as feathers grow back, and they prevent the hen from getting to preen or dust bathe. The real issue is that there are too many roosters (or one is too aggressive), or there’s a bully in the flock.

[@sundancer442]

I use pea straw mulch, but I don't shred it. Just take off the plastic and the chooks will do it for me !

[@brendascott4191]

Mine love the pumpkin that I froze yes you can freeze it

[@Mikrozachwyty]

I didn't realize how pro level chicken farm could be. What we Polish know about farming? So excited how much is to do in this topic! :D

[@realsimplemama]

It can be so much work... and so fun!

[@pamt8430]

Have some questions...You ready? Is that a Barred Rock I see? How do they do in the heat? Do they ever peck at the mirrors and break them? (my 3 young barred rocks are peckers..and they bite) Was thinking of getting them a fisher price xylophone... that would be funny. The graze box, how often do you replant in it? Think that is enough for now..lol. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@realsimplemama]

Hey hey! Yes Gracie is a barred rock and she’s sassy! No issues with the mirrors yet but they’re from the dollar store so not real glass or anything. I have the grazing box uprooted as we are moving next month but I’d say twice a year (do a warm weather crop and a cold weather crop, or just a warm weather one and let it go dormant in the cold). I have to worry more about the heat than the cold but not to worry, I have tons of videos with all my cheap useful remedies! Glad to have you around! Let me know how else I can help ❤️🤞🏼🐓

[@marciabosteder5682]

Chickens deserve to thrive, Thank you.❤

[@henribg1]

mine love fruits. they live free in the garden and when they wake up the firs thing is to go under the tree that fruits now. figs or berrie trees or aplles, plums etc.. nothing compares to the view of chickens running to get a falling peach :) they got countless bugs, slugs etc. i give them complete food, but never ever cared about obesity

[@realsimplemama]

That’s amazing! I have citrus trees outside the run and also planted pomegranate and fig trees outside the run and I wish is put them in with my flock. ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@myafaith8270]

We have three chicken swings and my chickens do not use them at all. My chickens are just scared because they move 😂

[@realsimplemama]

Lol! I love the idea of a swing but I read that you have to train them on it when they’re really young, or they’ll never use it. So it’s way too late for this flock 😄 but NEXT TIME I have baby chicks it’s happenin’!

[@samphillips9398]

#Question? I have a dozen various hens and I feed them Crumbles in the Winter and Pellets in the spring summer & fall start the crumbles as they eat a lot more Crumbles compared to Pellets?

[@realsimplemama]

That’s totally up to you - I personally do pellets as I feel like there’s less waste. ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@coziii.1829]

We also do cabbage on a chain like that

[@realsimplemama]

IT IS SO HILARIOUS ISNT IT?!? 😆😆😆

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Nice information and nicely presented

[@realsimplemama]

Oh thank you! We’ve gotten to do some of these things in the new Jurasschic Park run and it’s so hilarious to watch them explore and play!

[@cduffy6708]

You'd have to be awfully bored yourself...and have way too much free time ...to even think about putting clothes on chickens...😂

[@realsimplemama]

lol! I’m not the type of person who wants to get costumes and outfits for my pets if they don’t need them. But I have gotten the “bras” for a hen who had a crop issue. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Hersheysquirtyow]

I’m new got lots of birds thank You for the ideas

[@realsimplemama]

You are so welcome! I’m happy you’re here. ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@sherreeroper7656]

Whats your opinion on fermented feed? Because of you i stopped giving them corn on the cob.. thet just love corn.😢 Im reverting to pearl pellets and rough crumble w whole grain for fermenting.i dump my compost from my kitchen to a large container then to the pit where i let the girls scratch thru.

[@realsimplemama]

Oh good for you! For what it’s worth I “believe” in the benefits of both fermenting and composting. I just have never had the space nor the time to really research it enough to get started. Fermenting can have health benefits and save money on feed! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@breblizz4321]

Great advice, lots of good tips. Thank you for this vid, I’m sure there’s lots of chickens that would be grateful for you too.

[@realsimplemama]

Thank you! That’s cute. Who knows, when we move into our dream home (hoping for summer 2024) maybe I can build a sanctuary! 😍✌🏻❤️🐓

[@breblizz4321]

@@realsimplemama that would be awesome!!!!

[@realsimplemama]

I’m not sure I’ve seen it in the USA but I know chicken tenders in the UK etc. who purposely adopt “battery” or “battered” hens, which are the ones who are about to get culled because they’re not laying enough eggs for the factory anymore. 😳 With the money and the patience, think of all the good we could do! ✌🏻❤️🐓 I truly have so much love to give but not the space/time/money… for now.

[@destrored3921]

You got me with the Netflix part 😂

[@realsimplemama]

Lol! You know how they are 😆✌🏼❤️🐓

[@aebass4ever]

Thank you!

[@kellyd3696]

Very helpful - thank you. Have you had any problems with aerial predators? I have my area ready for chickens and privacy fencing like yours with huge oaks over the area. But I'm not sure the tree cover will be enough to hide them. I'm wanting to put netting over it but my husband is convinced we don't need it.

[@realsimplemama]

I honestly don’t - we do have hawks in the area but they’re too small to carry off one of my birds! Maybe try some deterrents like hanging up CDs and shiny stuff? And give the chickens places to cover, like bushes and structures (i had an old wooden palette leaned against a fence like a lean-to tent that they could run under.) I think it just depends on how close you are to civilization, how much space your birds have to roam, and what predatory birds live in the area.

[@kellyd3696]

@@realsimplemama Thank you for your reply. I'll try the cds. I do have plenty of duck and hide areas. Our hawks are huge as well as the owls. I keep putting off getting the birds when I know my area is ready for them. Just want to be the best chicken mama I can be. Your videos help a lot.

[@realsimplemama]

I’m so glad to hear that! Happy to help. If it were me I’d probably err on the side of caution. I’d rather do some extra unnecessary work than lose a bird or two. 😕

[@kellyd3696]

@@realsimplemama Me too:)

[@anneberne2660]

We put a fake $10 owl from amazon and then some string going across the run. Haven't lost one since. Even though our hawks might be small, one got decapitated by a hawk and both the head and body were left.

[@nashwaran473]

Hi about cooked rice and they like my plant called Hosta

[@realsimplemama]

They can have cooked rice but I normally don’t feed them grains as it’s not as healthy

[@nashwaran473]

@@realsimplemama thanks

[@forced4motorsports]

I know this is old but onions in small amounts, cooked or raw, are not bad for chickens. Neither is cheese or avocado. The skins and pits are of course, but not the flesh. As for cheese, chickens love sour/cultured dairy and it's good for their digestive system.

[@ruthlaity6093]

Does baby chicks need a dust bath? I have 4 in a dog crate in the spare room

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! They don’t need it, but if you give them one now they will play in it and start to learn how to use it. The same with swings and other things! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@shannaciano1804]

Yes, you can freeze the pumpkin. We freeze watermelon for the summer.

[@julieleech8214]

I'm just starting out on the path of discovery, at the moment I have two 4 week old chicks, my plan is to get another 2 more in a month or so. I think you are great. You have entertained and educated me both at the same time. Keep up the good work😊

[@realsimplemama]

Well hi and welcome to the world of chickens! They’re adorable and stressful and they’re going to change your life! I’m here to help and so glad that you found me.

[@whosedoingwhat]

Nice 2 have all grow up & adjust to ea other at the same time if your goal is more

[@christinae.burlison936]

Yes u can freeze chunks of pumpkin

[@yahsomeacres7816]

I am also in South Texas, Frio County.

[@rachelgomez8203]

I just found your video today and just subscribed. I am a newbie have had my chickens for 7 months and loving it but I learn something new every day. You mentioned you are in south Texas where are you located. I too live in Texas. So glad I have came across your video. Thank you!

[@realsimplemama]

Hey fellow Texan chicken tender! So glad you found me! Stay cool - always here to help ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@ruthlaity6093]

Where do you get wheat grass???

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! I’d check locally in places like Sprouts or Whole Foods, or a nursery. ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@gonzalobaltaurquizo2277]

I was gardening outside, preparing soil and such and I have saved coffee grounds for the soil... and one of my chickens went in and started doing a dust bath in it... I thought it was funny, so I let him He is fine, that was 2 weeks ago... should I mix some with their soil? Please advice

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! I haven’t heard of mixing coffee grounds for chickens but off the top of my head I can’t think of any danger. I bet the texture is perfect for them to get a good scratch! And I loooove reusing things in the garden, from banana peels to egg shells! I would do more research just to be safe but like I said it seems fine to me! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@InsipidRoustabout]

Do these toys keep their morning noises down? My girls seem to make noises until I hang out with them in the AM.

[@realsimplemama]

They can but I wouldn’t think so. Hens make egg songs and there are other sounds that a flock makes to communicate with each other. ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@evelynrogers7145]

Been giving my birds fresh pumpkins. All they do is eat the seeds and inside and leave the rest. I just started to give them black oil sunflower seeds about 2 hours before dusk,

[@realsimplemama]

Mine get picky about pumpkin innards too - the raw seeds are the best for worming but it’s all good stuff!

[@kathynix6552]

Black soldier fly farm where the maggots self harvest into the chicken run

[@santeebunnyshelter]

Mine hate pumpkins & watermelon.😜🤪😜🤪

[@realsimplemama]

Lol really?! Mine weren’t crazy about pumpkin but they’d commit a crime for some watermelon!

[@santeebunnyshelter]

Yup!! Spoiled brats!! Tried it 2X!! My deer 😍🥰😍🥰Ed the pumpkin!! Stole it off my front stairs!!

[@realsimplemama]

Well hey at least someone eats it! Any squash especially the seeds are a great anti-parasite for chickens

[@AnneluvsKatz]

😮😮😮

[@tiffanys2155]

Do your girls let you pick them up? We got 8 when they were 2 days old. I have 4 kiddos and we handle them daily, they're 16wks now and they still let us walk up and pick them up. Just wondering if they'll stay like this as they get fully grown. We just got 2 7wk old easter eggers, their toenails are crazy as you mention with one of yours. They're not so social but we're working with them

[@realsimplemama]

You know, out of our original three (whom we raised from a week old), only one was cuddly. I think yours will always be that way which is great! (I’m jealous!) I’ve also heard that EEs are not super friendly birds in general.

[@ToshaRaeNailed]

I’m jealous too. I got my babies at 2 days old. They’re a month old now. They’ve always hated being picked up.

[@realsimplemama]

@@ToshaRaeNailed same here. I wonder how much of it has to do with the breed?? Or how they were hatched (before we got them as chicks)? :( More chicken psychology questions, and no answers...

[@anneberne2660]

We handled ours since day one and we can pick all of them up. The americaunas like to jump on our back and heads.

[@realsimplemama]

My Easter eggers are the most wild and don’t like to be pet or picked up. My other two adopted girls aren’t as bad but aren’t cuddly. I did have one who was more cuddly but she passed away. I think if you’re working with them well then it’ll stay that way!

[@quickandeasy7003]

i gave my chickens pumpkin, they refused to go back in their run until i took it out

[@realsimplemama]

Oh no!!! They were afraid of the pumpkin! If you wanted to try again maybe let them see/hear you putting sunflower seeds or another familiar treat in/around it.

[@quickandeasy7003]

Thanks for the tip

[@whosedoingwhat]

We’re grading the run to run off to one back corner out & off and it’s between 2 sheds so will put rain gutters on each side. One storing kayaks 😁 one natural. We have big trunks of trees from unsold wooded lot next to it which we cut back for cleanliness etc. and to fence ours. Yes we are making a swing one corner in run & one outside run. We are adding those triangle tarp type shades for anti-predators=Hawks online not expensive! Maybe something tunnel like to waddle through lol bet they’d like a short gym like ramp to go up & dn and squat. Bet a soft ball like small! Bskt ball little lrgr than a base ball on on rope to poke at esp if a tree branch is available. Think outside the box😁

[@realsimplemama]

Sounds so fun! I have read that chickens do not really get the hang of swings, no pun intended, unless you practice with them when they are young. So you will have to report back and let me know! And yes the little canopy fabric tarp shade things - I doubt that is their real name :-) - were really cheap and we just got something similar for us too!

[@theunihornedbootuber6341]

idea fill a bucket with dirt and worms and your chickens can dig/forj in it

[@realsimplemama]

I’ve seen people also buy feeder goldfish (small ones!) or catch minnows and put them in a kiddie pool for your flock to fish out! I bet that would be hilarious😆

[@BecomingME]

I need to gwt some pumpkin for my flock!

[@realsimplemama]

Yeah! And you can freeze them too 👍🏼 the fresh seeds and gunk are the best part but the chickens can eat the flesh too

[@BecomingME]

real simple mama so i dont have to carve it and it doesnt have to be a pie pumpkin?

[@realsimplemama]

Right! I actually don’t even buy the pie pumpkins. Just get a larger pumpkin (tiny ones for decor don’t usually have many seeds) and cut it all the way through and halve it. Tah dah! If you carve jack o lanterns save the “gunk” for the flock too. But they’ll eat all of it, even the firm flesh in the inside.

[@laurabenevelli6783]

Why don't you put a compost pile in there?

[@realsimplemama]

You know, I wanted to! So I asked my locals because they’re all smarter than I am. And they said unless you “train” a chicken when they’re very young, they’ll just look at it (and you) like you’re crazy. And they’ll never use it. Dangit! So I may try eventually but I have a feeling it would just be something else they can poop on.

[@realsimplemama]

The original question asked why I didn’t put a swing in there. That explains my answer. We do have a compost barrel that we use 👍🏼 I haven’t done enough research to see how one could be incorporated with the chickens!

[@brendaseader1669]

If you sprinkle scratch grains on the compost, it will encourage them to make use of it, much like the leaf piles you mentioned.

[@LadyLeda2]

If you put a piece of moldy bread in your leaf pile it will draw the worms up to eat it. Than the chickens will start scratching around in the leaves to get the worms. Chickens have good ears and can hear the worms moving around. Also you can put a few worms near the top and show them how to move the leaves around to get the worms. Chickens are smart and learn fast.

[@dodihead9011]

@@realsimplemama When I throw scratch out I put some in the small compost I have and the chickens love the sprouts from the seeds. oh and to my surprise my wyandottes will not eat the earth worms ????? lol

[@helensarson8451]

If my chicken coop and run are completely enclosed from any other animals, do I need to lock them in the coop at night?

[@realsimplemama]

I would! It’s an extra level of security just in case. Everyone has predators around. But ultimately it’s up to you. ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@Damselfly54315]

My run area is going to be completely enclosed too, my chicks are a week old, their coop will be closed at night, mine is going to be fully enclosed due to the bald eagles, golden eagles, and just the predators, we have coyotes, mountain lions, black bears, you name it so have to be ever so careful of the build and inability to dig under, we are very rural so gotta take EVERY precaution! Mine WILL be locked in at night just being very cautious never hurts!

[@LadyLeda2]

I live in the middle of a town. As soon as we got our chickens, a fox came around. In a town!!!! Best to coop them up at night!!!

[@yahsomeacres7816]

Some of our dogs toys had squeaker, the dogs took out the squeaker, when I was free ranging my hens one ate a squeaker. It was funny when we realized we had a hen which sounded like a squeaky toy. The squeaker did not block the hen from eating or drinking, and because we didn't know which of the 18 was squeaking we didn't worry about it. I no longer hear the squeak.

[@realsimplemama]

Oh my gosh what?!?!? 😵‍💫🤣🤪

[@coziii.1829]

Mine eat used eggs but we crush them also give them scrambled eggs

[@healingfarmacy2666]

how did you know your easter Eggers had worms?

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! You can search videos here on my channel about it but basically they look weak and thin, they’re pale on comb and wattles, and then if you check their droppings you’ll see the overflow/extra worms. If you see worms in the poop that means the chicken is literally overrun with worms.

[@annettemastenchickenlove]

Does peat moss make the ground more muddy? And does peat moss get moldy if it rains a lot?

[@realsimplemama]

No and no! It’s a soft spongy material that’s super absorbent. ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@coziii.1829]

Get a worm farm as well and grab a handful of worms a day

[@axsdeny]

Re: the cold. Where are you located? I'm in western PA and a little concerned about the winter since my chicks will be 8 weeks in late October.

[@realsimplemama]

I’m in south Texas! So we aren’t even below freezing that much. Your chicks should not be outside until they are fully feathered, usually 16 weeks old or a little bit later, because they cannot control their own body temperature with chick fluff.